Jacob Clay

Jacob Clay (1882 – 1955) was a prominent Dutch scientist.

Clay was born in Berkhout on 18 January 1882. After attending the Erasmiaans Gymnasium, he studied physics at the University of Leiden under Heike Kamerlingh Onnes and Hendrik Antoon Lorentz. On completing his degree in 1908 he married Tettje Clay-Jolles with whom he had a son.

In 1928 he became correspondent of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, he resigned a year later. In 1936 he became a full member.